Really
stunning stuff – a never-heard live performance from early 70s London – one
that features Gilberto Gil in exile, working alongside the great Gal Costa! The
album's got a lean, stripped-down feel – similar acoustic instrumentation to
both Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso's London recordings – a mode that's an
especially great change from some of Costa's more produced albums of the period
– at a level that really lets us hear how warmly collaborative and high
spirited she could be! Both Gal and Gilberto play guitar – and backing is by a
group of bass, percussion, and drums – the last of which are played by Tutty
Moreno – and the performance has the singers working solo and in duet – the
latter of which is especially great! The set includes a few English language
numbers – "Brand New Dream" and "One O'Clock Last Morning 20th
April 1970" – plus versions of "Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band"
and "Up From The Skies". And other titles include "Sai Do
Sereno", "Coracao Vagabundo", "Procissao",
"Acaua", "Chuva Suor E Cerveja", "Viramundo",
"Como Dois E Dois", and "Maria Bethania/Bota A Mao Nas Cadeiras". ~ Dusty Groove

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TOM ZE - VURA LATA NA VIA LACTEA

A mighty
record from the great Tom Ze – every bit as creative and experimental as ever,
and maybe sounding better here than he has on the past few studio albums – even
though we liked those releases an awful lot too! The record is heavy on vocal
interplay – both Ze with himself, but also alongside contributions from Caetano
Veloso, Milton Nascimento, and others – voices that are often set to relatively
spare instrumentation that's quite rhythmic, but without any sort of obvious
beats or drum parts either – usually more unusual grooves that are matched with
creative elements on guitar, both acoustic and electric, and some sweet reed
parts too – which almost have a bit of a Hermeto Pascoal quality. The whole
thing's a great reminder that the passage of years has done nothing to dim the
vitality of Tom Ze – and titles include "Mamon", "Banca De
Jornal", "A Quantas Anda Voce", "Geracao Y",
"Irara Ira La", "Papa Perdoa Tom Ze", and "A Boca Da
Cabeca". ~ Dusty Groove

A
beautiful record that's exactly what's promised in the group's name – a samba
trio that's heavy on cello – played by the great Jaques Morelenbaum, who we
know from so many other great records! The style's a bit bossa jazz, but has a
very different feel – as the use of the cello really brings out the bluer, more
melancholy moments in the tunes – as Jacques bows his instrument with a great
sense of expressiveness alongside acoustic guitar and percussion. Titles
include "Eu Vim Da Bahia", "Coracoa Vagabundo", "Outra
Vez", "Ar Livre", "Voce E Eu",
"Maracatuesday", and "Tim Tim Por Tim Tim". ~ Dusty Groove